Fallis F. Rees Papers

Collection

Identifier: M020

Staff Only

Abstract

Fallis F. Rees (1897-1980) was an amateur archaeologist who researched the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Asia, America and Africa. He also studied the theory of cross-communication among civilizations in the ancient world. He conducted research on the Olmec and Mayan peoples in the western hemisphere and traveled through Mexico and Central America to visit the monuments and ruins of these civilizations. He chronicled the similarities between the religious, astronomical and mythological aspects of the old and new world cultures. This collection contains archaeologica research notes, photocopies of articles and illustrations, newspaper clippings and publications on ancient culture, as well as Rees' manuscript, together with working drafts, is included in the collection, as are photographs, slides, maps, postcards, pamphlets and bibliographic cards.

Dates

1901-1977

Creator

Rees, Fallis F., 1897-1980 (Person)

Language of Materials

Material is primarily in English.

Biographical / Historical

Fallis Rees is quoted in a May 1969 article in the Rocky Mountain News as saying that if he had known about archeology as a young man, he would have been an archaeologist even if it meant starving. In fact, he waited until his retirement to indulge in his passion for archeology.

Fallis F. Rees was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 19, 1897. He attended Cincinnati public schools and the University of Cincinnati. In 1917 he married Elizabeth Beechgood. They had two children, a son, F. Worth, and a daughter, Katherine. It is not known when he moved to Colorado, but he founded Brick, Inc. in 1932 after working as a sales manager for Denver Pressed Brick Co. He retired in 1962 and began acquiring Indian pottery. His interest soon expanded to ancient artifacts. Those artifacts led to his studying archeology. He became convinced that the similarities between Egyptian art and religion and that of the Mayans and other peoples of ancient America were due to cross-Atlantic contact during the height of Egyptian cultural dominance. In addition to collecting artifacts and art, he began corresponding with archaeologists around the world who were working in areas that complemented Rees' theory. One outcome of his interest was that he completed a manuscript about his research and his theories of cultural contacts in the ancient world. The last years of his life were spent trying to find a publisher for his manuscript, and continuing his artifact collection, which he housed in his Ko-Kas-Ki Museum in Pinedale, Colorado, before transferring it to the University of Denver. His wife helped in the museum as well as accompanying him on his research expeditions to Mexico and South America.

Rees was a member of the Board of Directors of First Federal Savings and Loan Association, a past Grand Chancellor of Colorado Knights of Pythias, past imperial prince of the Dramatic Order of Knights of Khorassan, a member of the Black Hawk Masonic Lodge No. 16, and a member of the Colorado and New Mexico Archaeological Societies. He died February 19, 1980, survived by his wife, son, daughter, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Extent

5 Linear Feet (5 record boxes)

Additional Description

Scope and Contents

The collection contains amateur archeologist, Fallis Rees' archaeologica research notes, photocopies of articles and illustrations, newspaper clippings and publications on ancient culture. The collection features general archaeological research on Egypt and other Old World regions and the connection to the New World and cross-world communication. The collection also contains modern research materials documentation from archaeological societies and museums, together with various material found in the modern media. Rees' personal correspondence and files contain correspondence with archaeologists from several countries as well as items collected by Rees of a non-archaeological nature. Rees' manuscript, together with working drafts, is included in the collection, as are photographs, slides, maps, postcards, pamphlets and bibliographic cards.

Arrangement

The collection is organized into four series:; 1. World Ancient Culture, 1909-1977, undated.; 2. North and South American Culture,1943-1972, undated.; 3. Comparative Culture, 1901-1975, undated.; 4. Personal Correspondence and Papers, 1957-1965, undated.;